Non-pyrotechnic cues and method for area weapons effects simulation system

Abstract

Non-pyrotechnic cues are used with an area weapons effects system. These cues include sound devices, flashing lights and smoke deposition devices. A processor detects the required type of display from an input message and displays an appropriate sound to correspond to the type of weapon used. In addition, visual displays are coordinated with the audio display to provide simulated explosions with appropriate sounds ("bangs") and lights ("flashing lights") and smoke.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system comprising: an area weapons effects system for providing a message which indicates a weapon type and an effect of said weapon type on a target;   a processor for translating said effect of said weapon type into an identity of at least one cue, said processor coupled to said area weapons effects system;   an audio playback cue for producing a sound related to said weapon type in response to a selection of an audio cue, said audio playback cue coupled to said processor; and   a visual cue for display visual indications of said effect of said weapon type on said target, said visual cue coupled to said processor.   
     
     
       2. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is further included at least one loud speaker for producing said sound related to said weapon type. 
     
     
       3. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one loud speaker includes a plurality of loud speakers mounted so as to project said sound outward in a plurality of directions from a central location. 
     
     
       4. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plurality of loud speakers includes four loud speakers mounted at a central location at approximately 90° with respect to one another. 
     
     
       5. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 4, wherein there is further included a first amplifier for driving each of said speakers, said amplifier coupled between an audio playback cue unit and said speakers. 
     
     
       6. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said audio playback cue includes a controller for selecting a recording in response to a message from said processor and said controller for playing back said recording, said controller coupled to said processor. 
     
     
       7. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said audio playback cue further includes a digital-to-analog converter for converting said recording stored in digital form to analog form, said digital-to-analog converter coupled to said controller. 
     
     
       8. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said audio playback cue further includes random access memory for storing said recordings in digital form, said random access memory coupled to said controller. 
     
     
       9. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said audio playback cue further includes read only memory for storing said recordings in digital form and for storing operating instructions for said controller, said read only memory coupled to said controller. 
     
     
       10. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said audio playback cue further includes a second amplifier for amplifying said converted digital-to-analog recording, said second amplifier coupled between said digital-to-analog converter and said first amplifier. 
     
     
       11. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said visual cue includes a light which is turned on under control of said processor for indicating weapons effects, said light coupled to said processor. 
     
     
       12. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said light includes a strobe light; and   said visual cue further includes a relay for operating said strobe light, said relay coupled between said processor and said strobe light.   
     
     
       13. Non-pyrotechnic cues for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said visual cue further includes: a smoke pot for dispersing smoke in response to said processor to represent a particular weapons effect, said smoke pot coupled to said processor; and   a relay for operating said smoke pot for dispersing said smoke in response to said processor, said relay coupled between said processor and said smoke pot.   
     
     
       14. A method for non-pyrotechnic cue display for an area weapons effects simulation system comprising the steps of: reading by a processor a message including a weapon type and an effect of said weapon type on a target from an area weapons effects simulation system;   sending by the processor a selection message to an audio playback cue;   playing by the audio playback cue a selected one of a plurality of stored recordings; and   lighting a light by a visual cue for a time period.   
     
     
       15. A method for non-pyrotechnic cue display for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 14, wherein there is further included the steps of: determining by the processor whether the message from the area weapons effects simulation system indicates a kill condition;   activating by the processor a strobe light, if a kill condition is determined; and   activating a smoke pot, if a kill condition is determined.   
     
     
       16. A method for non-pyrotechnic cue display for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 14, wherein there is further included the steps of: determining by the processor whether the message received from the area weapons effects simulation system is a reset message; and   initializing by the processor all data associated with the processor, if the message is a reset message.   
     
     
       17. A method for non-pyrotechnic cue display for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 16, wherein there is further included the step of storing in a queue the message from the area weapons effects simulation system, if the message is not a reset message. 
     
     
       18. A method for non-pyrotechnic cue display for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 17, wherein there is further included the steps of: determining by the processor whether the audio playback cue is currently busy; and   reading another message from the area weapons effects simulation system, if the audio playback cue is busy.   
     
     
       19. A method for non-pyrotechnic cue display for an area weapons effects simulation system as claimed in claim 18, wherein there is further included the steps of: determining by the processor whether a message from the area weapons effects simulation system is in a queue, if the audio playback cue is not busy; and   reading another message from the area weapons effects simulation system, if a message is not in the queue.